A Bridge of Years [Paperback]

Robert Charles Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1991

A secluded Pacific Northwest cottage becomes a door to the past for Tom Winter, who travels back to the New York City of 1962, followed by a human killing machine that he alone must stop. Reprint.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wilson ( The Divide ) transforms a simple time travel novel into a moving reflection on love, despair and the resilience of the human spirit. Tom Winter is an alcoholic whose wife leaves him for a young environmental activist. In a desperate attempt to rebuild his life, Winter moves back to his hometown in the Pacific Northwest, into a 30-year-old house that is in incredibly good condition--although it has stood dormant for over a decade, no dust has gathered on any of the polished furniture. Winter can't believe his good luck: that is, until the cybernetic custodians of the house reveal themselves and beg for his help to repair the place, which serves as a time-bridge to New York, circa 1962. Despite the custodians' warning, Winter travels back to a New York that is still untouched by the Vietnam War, the Kennedy assassinations and AIDS. Among Greenwich Village's bohemian crowd he falls in love. Unfortunately, a murderous soldier from the future--also hiding in the past--discovers that Winter used the tunnel: the hunt leads back to the present and to an exciting, unexpected climax that proves Wilson is a magician indeed.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Returning to his hometown after a failed marriage, recovering alcoholic Tom Winter purchases a house only to discover that it connects with another time and place--and his desire to "start over" suddenly becomes a literal possibility. Wilson ( The Divide , LJ 12/89) excels at psychological suspense, as the spiritual and emotional challenges his characters face are as intense as the physical dangers. A solid addition to any sf collection.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (August 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385419376
• ISBN-13: 978-0385419376
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth read and a true pleasure, July 18, 2005

By 

M. L. Leavitt "Author/Actor" (Londonderry, NH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Bridge of Years (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book tremendously. The pace flowed quickly and smoothly throughout the entire book, and the conclusion, though a bit choppy, truly seemed appropriate for the situation. Thankfully, everything doesn't necessarily end on a perfect note, so I do appreciate that Wilson took the time to think about what "should" happen, rather than what everyone else would "like" to happen. There is a love story which flows in the middle of the book, but I don't think this was truly fully developed (the reason for the 4 stars). I did enjoy the technology and the frightening (and almost too-real) look at what the future holds, or may hold for us in the real world. The characters were well thought-out and though a bit hyperbolic, came across nicely. An excellent take on the future/past relationship without killing the concept. Overall, an excellent and quick read.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique scifi story that succeeds as a romance as well!, July 26, 2002

By 

AMC "scifiali" (Atlanta, Ga) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bridge of Years (Paperback)

Wilson is one of the today's best science fiction writers and "A Bridge of Years" is his most moving book. This story of a house that serves as a crossroad in time weaves together the unique romance of an unlikely couple, a reluctant soldier from the future and a mysterious caretaker from an enlightened era. Suspense and insight are expertly balanced in the three storylines. "A Bridge of Years" succeeds in pairing great characters with fascinating ideas and a love story that fits perfectly into the scenario. It's a great book for unlikely fans of science fiction as it offers more than just the usual revelations and situations.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A More Literate Brand of SF, October 31, 2009

By 

Russell Clothier (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Bridge of Years (Paperback)

Science Fiction has always been about ideas, about action and adventure - about The Story. The language used to tell the story, well, that's not as important. As long as it is not obtrusively bad, SF fans can live with workmanlike prose, if the ideas and events are interesting.

And then there is Robert Charles Wilson. Yes, he has ideas and plot twists like all SF authors. But man does he know how to WRITE! I am in awe of the subtlety and power with which he uses the English language. In a few sentences, he can evoke a sense of atmosphere or place that is deeper and clearer than any SF author I've read. His characters are complete, nuanced, flawed but endearing. His writing is lyrical, rich, even poetic. His novels are not just SF, they are literature, which is rare in the genre.

I know this review doesn't say much about the plot, which is well conceived and executed. You'll enjoy it, trust me. But the glory of a Robert Charles Wilson novel is not so much in the story as in the story-telling. I read a lot of SF, and I believe Wilson to be the finest Writer in the field. He is amazing. Prepare to be impressed.